Edo HOLGAs compulsory leave begins across 18 LGAs to enable government reassess local administration and address staffing irregularities

Edo HOLGAs compulsory leave has officially commenced following a directive from the state government, mandating Heads of Local Government Administration in all 18 local government areas to embark on a 30-day leave for what it termed an administrative reassessment.

Also read: Young Nigerian commercial pilot earns FAA licence

The announcement was made by Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, during a media briefing after his assessment tour of all councils across the state.

Adjoto explained that the decision is designed to enable a thorough audit of administrative operations, enhance transparency, and reposition the local government workforce to ensure democratic dividends reach the grassroots effectively.

“The measure has become very necessary to allow for thorough assessment for improved administrative operation at the local government level,” Adjoto said.

All affected HOLGAs have been instructed to hand over to their respective Directors of Administrative and General Services with immediate effect.

During the tour, the Commission uncovered 382 shadow files and discovered that 132 personnel files belonging to retired staff were missing — raising serious concerns about record-keeping and human resource management.

According to Adjoto,

“Our task is clear: to positively reposition the local government workforce so that development and governance can be felt more effectively at the grassroots.”

He added that the Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, is determined to ensure transparency in local governance and restore public confidence in council administration.

Adjoto stressed that the compulsory leave is not a punitive measure but part of a broader reform strategy aimed at improving operational standards, enforcing due process in staff deployment, and strengthening record management.

“We want to make sure things work well. Governor Okpebholo is committed to ensuring development reaches the grassroots. It is our duty to take this decision,” he said.

Also read: Nigerian House investigates CCTV loan amid rising insecurity

The reassessment is expected to result in a shake-up of posting practices and pave the way for data-driven staffing decisions and more accountable local governance.